Method of loading an explosive into a container



April 2, 1940. H. SHALER 2,195,429

METHOD OF LOADING AN EXPLOSIVE INTO A CONTAINER Filed Feb. 25, 1938 Inventor Harrison Shaler Attorney @atentedl Apr. 2, l9

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Application Fohrnary 25, 1933,

2 (Illa.

' I No. 192,626

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 132%; 379 0. (5.157)

The invention described herein may be manuiactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates-to a method of loading an explosive into a container.

In the casting method of loading explosives into a container, the explosive material is heated to a temperature above its meltin Point and while in a molten condition is poured into the container, usually in several increments, and allowed to solidify. The exterior portion 01' the mass or charge and its upper surface solidify first and retard cooling of the interior and as a result of this action, porosity, shrinkage cavities and a non-uniform density of loading occur.

In order to eliminate the foregoing disadvantages and reduce the period of time required for cooling the charge, the methods of loading proposed in the present invention provide for increasing the cooling surface and producing agitation of the mass, with or without pressure, by means oi rotation or of revolution of the container.

These methods are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l isa longitudinal sectional view of a bomb showing the stratification of successive pours or increments when the container is loaded in accordance with a method of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a container in an angular position showing the initial disposition of the second pour during slow roll casting and before solidification occurs;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sefiional view of a container in a horizontal position and showing a solidified and a molten layer during centrifugal casting;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the layers during slow roll casting;

Fig. 5 is a view illustrating casting during a motion of revolution of the container.

in a method of loading an explosive into a container by casting increments while the container is in motion, one particular procedure consists in placing a container in a vertical position, introducing an increment of molten explosive into the container, and rotating the container about its ams until the explosive has solidified. Due to centrifugal action the molten explosive is agitated and maintained under pressure with a greatly enlarged cooling surface. Referring to Fig. l in which the container is designated by the numeral 5 the first increment 5 solidifies in the form imparted to the molten mass under the infiuence of centrifugal force.

when the first increment has solidified, the

second increment of molten explosive l is poured and the container is rotated, preferably at a reduced rate, until this new charge solidifies. This operation is repeated for successive increments, the number of increments required to substantially fill the container being of course dependent on the volume or amount of the individual increments and the particular Stratification of the complete charge being dependent on the number of increments. This method will not permit the container to be completely filled and there will remain a small space at the mouth of approximately parabolic or conicalshape. The final increment 8 is then poured into this space by means of the usual former l5 and allowed to solidify without the container being in motion.

In Fig. 2 the container 5 is rotated on its am's while in an inclined position. The first increment 9 is shown after solidification and the second increment 58 of molten explosive is shown in its initial disposition before the container is rotated.

In Fig. 3 the container 5 is rotated on its axis while in a horizontal position, the first and second increments ii and i2, forming symmetrical and concentric layers.

A method oi slow-roll casting in a horizontal position is illustrated m Fig. 4, the solidified layer being indicated at E3 and the increment of molten explosive being indicated at M. This method gives considerable agitation and while it does not provide pressure it oil'sets this by constantly coating the interior wall with molten filler as the container is rotated thus causing the filler to gradual- 1y build up, layer upon layer, with absence of porosity and cavitation.

As indicated in Fig. 5 the container may be given a motion of revolution so that its axis generates a cone or a cylinder. This may be accomplished with or without rotation of the container on its own a' I claim:

1. The method of leading an explo: ve into a container which consists in introducing an incre= ment of molten explosive into the container, ro-

I toting the container on its axis until the increment of the explosive has solidified and then repeating the operation with one or more successive increments of explosive.

2. The method or leading an eniosive into a container which consists in introducing an in crement of molten explosive into the container, subjecting the container to a motion of revolution and to rotation on its axis until the increment or" the explosive has solidified, and then repeating the operation with one or more wccessive increments of explosive.

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